Actors Block?

[n2005]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 6:26pm

I'm having a pretty rough time at the moment with a play. The dialogue is written in 'chunks' so when a character is talking to another it sounds like a monologue and it does not sound 'real'. I mean there's an arguement scene and the 2 characters have 2 'chunks' each. I know acting is not all about speech but it's very hard to react beause after a while I feel like an idiot with a twitch. I feel the need to interject - in a real arguement you would . It also limits movement and slows the pace down. My insticts tell me to do something but these monologues are so long that it's so easy to lapse into just 'standing there' Anyone else had real trouble with the way a play is written?

[lildogs]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 10:51am

I was ill-advisedly cast in OLEANNA in college and yes, it's hard--you essentially learn the entire play.

As far as your physicality goes, remember Bob Fosse once said, "Don't just say something. Stand there."

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 10:54am

i would advise you to re-write it. clearly you know better than some stupid author how this piece should work. if they will not allow you to fix these problems i would quit since they do not recognize your genius.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:30am

Arguments don't always function in the you say one thing, I say another. It sounds like you've moved into screaming at someone when you should be a little calmer right before the argument begins. The point of the argument is to stiffle what you REALLY want to say. That should give you the impitus to shut up and just stand there. No need to convey any of that subtext to the audience. Don't distract from the acting your partner is doing. Instead, as lildogs/Fosse said, just stand there.

[n2005]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 12:41pm

No I get that but when I stand there , the dirctor tells me to stop standing and move, Where? Its annoying me.lol! If we just stand still she throws a hissy fit and tells us we need movement. I dunno.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 12:52pm

Updated On: 1/23/09 at 12:52 PM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 3:57pm

Without knowing the text, it is hard for us to help.

I'd advise you to have a chat with the director and let them know how you're feeling.

[n2005]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 5:01pm

Yeah , I'm just not happy in this production at all. I said it to her at rehearsals tonight that this scene is a conversation , I cannot walk around the stage as I have no motivation for it and it just isn't right so she told us to go practise in different ways.
He could read it really 'lazily' and then I'd have to shake him or I could walk away and he'd have to run around after me. Meanwhile the stage directions read 'Frank and his wife stand by the fireplace'.
I'll just stick at it and do my best but I can't wait to move on to something else.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 8:26pm

"I'm just not happy in this production at all"
Then stop bitching about it to us and leave it.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/30/08 at 9:50pm

Tell the director she sucks and you'll make sure she never works in this town again.








What ever town you are in, that is.





And it's funny that Trekkie posts "Then stop bitching about it to us and leave it" when his av is saying "We Know Drama".

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:43am

"And it's funny that Trekkie posts "Then stop bitching about it to us and leave it" when his av is saying "We Know Drama"."

This from someone with DIVA in their screen-name...

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:20pm

That's been my nick name for almost 20 years.


What's your point?

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:26pm

My point is that someone called diva shouldn't call out someone with "drama" in their avatar. The fact that you've been called a diva for 20 years kind of furthers MY argument, not yours.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:42pm

Shut up already Trekkie

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 2:46pm

lol

I love this thread. You think you're clicking to read about creative problems, but you end up with a totally different problem. It's like a box of chocolates.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 3:30pm

Johnny boy, oh Johnny boy; I responded to the original poster, a self proclaimed diva accused me of being a hypocrite, I responded. The end

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 7:21pm

I NEVER called you a hypocrite.

Relax, I was just pointing something out.


Wow, getting all worked up over nothing...

Updated On: 5/1/08 at 07:21 PM

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 5/1/08 at 7:39pm

"Wow, getting all worked up over nothing..."
Yes, I have. Thanks to you, I'm now just a hot fierce tranny mess